Topic: BOOZE - Liqueur and Wine
MAKE BOOZE!!!
One of my favorite topics - (wait, 2 actually) Booze and saving a Buck! In these difficult economic times when people drink more what could be better?
I was reading in my Garden & Gun (great publication, btw) that there is a new interest in making moonshine as an artisan food. It no longer has to taste like paint thinner and cause you to scream and gasp for air while your eyes water up. No, it comes in all these delicious flavors - strawberry, apple pie, blueberry etc. There is really no limit to what you can do with your good old fashioned corn whiskey. You can even buy all that you need to make the hooch on Amazon.com! Who knew!? I definately want to give this a shot! lol
For those that like the sweeter side of things, here is a recipe for making your own Mocha Cream Liqueur -
- 1-1/4 cups sweetned condensed milk
- 1 cup dark rum
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chocolate flavored syrup
- 1 Tbsp. instant espresso powder
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/4 tsp. coconut extract
Preparation:
Combine all ingredients in food processor or blender. Cover and process on high speed until the mixture is well blended and smooth.This can be served immediately, or stored in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Make sure to stir or shake thoroughly before serving. Serve in very tiny cups, or in chocolate cups.
And for the less creative, WINE - (Rember Strawberry wine?)
- 7 pounds whole fresh strawberries, (fresh picked, if possible), washed and hulled
- 2 gallons boiling water
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 5 pounds sugar
Preparation:
In a large earthenware crock, mash the strawberries. Cover with boiling water, add lemon juice, and quickly stir for about two minutes. Cover with a clean linen cloth. Let rest in a cool, dark place, stirring daily for one week.
After one week, strain the mixture through a double-layer of cheesecloth into a large, clean bowl, discarding strawberry pulp. Combine strawberry liquid with the sugar, stirring to dissolve sugar. Pour into cleaned crock and let stand another week, stirring daily.
After the second week, pour the strawberry liquid into 1-gallon glass wine bottles and cork loosely. (May use fermentation locks, if you have them.) Let rest in a cool, dark place for 3 months. When wine is clear and no longer fermenting (bubbling), pour into individual bottles, cork, and age at least 1 year before drinking this delicious strawberry wine.
Yield: Approximately 2-1/2 gallons or 40 servings
These all make fabulous gifts for those on a tight budget, time consuming, but well worth the efforts and the wait.
